Carry On

By: Teenlaunch

Disclaimer: Can't we just leave this out? It's so obvious. Anyway, no, I am not the proud owner of Harry Potter. If I was, SOME people wouldn't have died in the last book.

a/n: Well, it's not too late this time…Oh well. Here's the next chapter. Thanks again for being so patient. Read and review!

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"Harry!"

Harry started, the drink in his hand spilling into his lap. He grumbled and whispered a cleaning spell. "What?" Harry turned halfway in his chair to look behind him. James ran over and dragged him out of his seat, not saying a word. He took Harry over to a small circle of people. The Marauders, plus Frank Longbottom, Lily Evans, and Alice Compton smiled at him. Harry raised an eyebrow in silent question but was ignored. James pushed Harry down between Remus and Sirius, taking the space on Sirius's other side for himself.

"Alright! Now that we're all here, let's start." James clapped his hands and suddenly all sound outside their circle was cut off. Harry leaned back experimentally and his back hit a barrier. He scowled.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, didn't we tell you?" Sirius asked innocently.

Peter smirked. "We're playing Truth or Dare."

Harry frowned while Remus laughed. "Too bad the girls are here, otherwise we'd be playing Marauder style."

Harry turned to Lily and Alice. "Thank you," he said earnestly.

Lily scoffed. "I'm only playing because Alice is. No funny stuff, Potter."

"That's the fun part though," James whined.

Harry shot him a dirty look. "Really, James, no funny stuff."

"But-" Harry rolled his eyes and reached around Sirius to slap James. "Ow! What was that for?"

Harry whispered quickly into his ear. "This is your chance to impress Lily by being a gentleman to her, even if you aren't to others. I bet if you do it this once, she might consider going out with you."

James brightened immediately. "Really?"

"Just trust me."

"Hold on, what do you mean, be a gentleman?"

Harry groaned. "You've never had any practice with this before, have you?"

"Uh, no."

"Just don't make her do anything…extreme. You know, like no PDA and stuff."

"PDA?"

"Public Displays of Affection, moron!"

"Oh, gotcha!"

"Now that these two idiots are done," Sirius huffed. "Let me explain the rules. We all know the basics so I'll skip to our rules. Ahem," Sirius took out a small scroll of parchment and unfurled it. "In the occurrence a Marauder cannot come up with a dare, anyone can have input."

"So long as it's legitimate," Remus interjected.

"As I was saying," Sirius reached around Harry to shove Remus. "In the occurrence that a player declines from a truth or dare, they must perform one action they agree to and two of the opposite action."

"Come again?" Alice asked.

Sirius sighed, exasperatedly. "Say I didn't like the truth Remus gave me, I would switch to dare but have to answer a different truth question and do two dares. Got it? We only added that 'cause you gals are joining us. Alright, let's see. Just about anything's legit except if it might result in mortal peril. Yadda, yadda, yadda…Ah, anyone subjected to a truth, and it is accepted, will drink a single drop of Veritaserum." Harry, who was being lulled to sleep by his godfather's voice, snapped his eyes onto Sirius's smiling face, then to Remus's slightly doubtful one.

The girls immediately protested. "That's not even legal, Black!"

"You're lucky," Harry muttered. Everyone looked at him. "I believe this rule was also tweaked for you girls. If you hadn't joined us, they wouldn't have even mentioned the Veritaserum. If not for you, I would probably have been tricked into drinking it before they started this game."

The Marauders looked affronted. James leaned forward slightly. "Do you honestly think we would do such a thing?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Yes, if there was some profit in it for you."

Sirius cleared his throat, trying to get away from the touchy subject. "Anyway, we're only doing one round, as Remus so graciously reminded us how desperately he needs his beauty rest. Well, Harry, you start."

The game seemed to crawl by for Harry, but perhaps he was just dreading his turn. So far Remus's pride had been wounded when he impersonated a dog and Peter had gotten a stomachache from eating five pounds of Gorgonzola in under two minutes. Harry had a feeling Remus only dared him to do it because the Marauders had wanted to know if it was possible for an eating machine like Peter. (It was.) Peter turned to Lily and grinned. "Evans, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Alright. I dare you to kiss James, on the lips, for four seconds."

Lily's mouth dropped open. Harry had seen that look before. Lupin had given it to him when Harry had asked if he wanted to tell Mrs. Weasley that Bill would be running late for his own wedding. It clearly said, 'I'd rather stick my head inside a hippogriff's mouth!' It had quickly been replaced by a submissive frown, and dejected sigh that told Harry, 'But I don't really have much choice, do I?'

Lily grumbled, quickly getting up, and approached a slightly disgruntled James. She planted her mouth on his. The Marauders counted out loud joyously, drawing out the four so it was more like eight. Lily sat back down beside Alice and turned to her. Harry tuned his mother out, smirking at the blush on her face. He watched somewhat bored when Alice asked Frank, while under Veritaserum, if he would truly die for her, as he had apparently told her months earlier. James then proceeded to break the subdued atmosphere by eating an entire bloodpop and cockroach cluster.

James, his mouth still a grotesque red, turned to Sirius, his eye twitching slightly. "Since I know it's dare, let me get on with it. I dare you to go to Dumbledore's office and ride on his staircase while singing 'I Am Pretty'. Got it?"

Sirius gaped. Harry smirked and joined in, "Oh, come on. Surely you know that one, Sirius."

Sirius snarled. "Fine. Let's go." James got up to go to the dorm but bit his lip and shook his head, moving toward the portrait hole. Harry smiled at his father's predicament. He'd never gone out without his invisibility cloak, but he couldn't afford the others knowing about it. They all kept to the shadows as they walked. Harry grimaced, realizing just how dependant he was on his own cloak, his father's cloak he remembered. He'd never thought about it much before.

Harry looked up when he heard the grinding of Dumbledore's staircase. Sirius stepped on, cleared his throat, and started to sing. "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, so pretty, and witty, and GAY!" Everyone choked, trying not to laugh as Sirius continued, his face actually turning red. Harry grinned. Sirius suddenly stopped singing. "Hello, your Headship, sir."

"Ah, Mr. Black. I don't suppose you could have waited until breakfast to serenade everyone with your wonderful baritone?"

"No, sir. It's a special, not to be shared with anyone but you, sir."

"I thought as much. But I must ask you to return to your dorm. I would hate for Professor McGonagall to catch you."

"Yes, sir." Sirius sprinted down the stairs and past the others. They followed him carefully. Sirius nodded toward a classroom and everyone piled in.

"That was close," James sighed.

"You almost got us caught, Potter!" Lily hissed. "I'm going back to the tower as I have no intention of getting caught, especially with you!"

Sirius grabbed her hand. "Oh no you don't. Harry still has his turn left." He turned to look at Harry. "Well, you know the drill."

Harry bit his lip, running over the pros and cons of each situation. He sighed and breathed. "Truth."

Sirius's mouth dropped open. "B-but…"

"I don't trust you to not embarrass me."

"Fine." Sirius sat down on the floor.

"Uh, Siri, what are you doing?" Remus asked.

"Thinking…I got it!" Sirius jumped up and pulled out the Veritaserum. "What is your life story?"

Harry closed his eyes, voicing his annoyance. "You did that on purpose. I'll have to…pass. Let Remus give me a different truth."

"Yes!" Sirius did a sort of pirouette. "Give him the truth, Remus. Hurry up." Harry swallowed a drop of Veritaserum and his eyes went blank.

"What is one thing you have done that you are proud of?"

Harry didn't answer right away. He stared at Remus for a moment as though he wasn't going to answer, then opened his mouth. "Battling a dragon."

The others gaped at him as he just blinked out of the Veritaserum. Sirius cleared his throat. "Okay. First dare. I dare you to find proof that merpeople exist. I mean, I know they exist but you never see them personally, you know."

Harry grumbled, going to the door. "It couldn't be something simple, like, get food from the kitchen! No, get in the lake, catch your death of cold, and risk getting speared by merpeople, all while avoiding the Giant Squid and grindylows! Have I left anything out?"

They crept slowly out of the castle and down to the bank of the lake. Harry stripped to his boxers, earning blushes from the girls. He was just lucky it was as dark as it was. He quickly performed the bubblehead charm and made his watch and the Tempus Inflecto water repellant. The last thing he needed was to leave Lupin stranded if it malfunctioned. Harry waded into the water, ignoring the extreme cold, and disappeared beneath the surface.

Harry sped through the water, hoping he could manage the dare. He knew the Marauders would be astonished if he actually accomplished this. He would be too. He'd already been attacked by ten grindylows and his arms were aching. Harry stopped suddenly. This was ridiculous. There had to be a way to call them. Harry raised his wand and altered the bubble around his head, making it so it only covered his eyes and nose. He opened his mouth and tried to duplicate the merpeople's screeches, as he had heard Dumbledore do. He continued for a few minutes, managing to produce words like cow, dung, and bird. Harry growled in frustration and let out a short scream. He was shocked when he heard, quite clearly: "I hate this!" come from his mouth. Harry tried again and heard: "What's going on?" He began again and found when he focused on what he wanted to say, all he produced were random words. He cursed, flailing slightly.

"I think it's here."

Harry spun around. Two merpeople emerged from the weeds behind him. They stopped and the male raised a spear. "Human."

Harry answered, indignantly. "Tree!" He shook his head, opening and closing his mouth. "No, I mean…please…friend. I'm learning."

The woman laughed, understanding his problem. "You seem to be a natural mermish speaker. Do not focus on what you want to say. Try too hard and you will mess up."

"Okay. Hey, I can do it!" Harry smiled. "I'm sorry I disturbed you."

"Good job, human." The male laughed, obviously amused and slightly put out that he mastered it so quickly. "Why are you here?"

"Dare. Need proof. Darn it! This is hard!"

"A dare. You need proof of what?" The woman asked gently, smiling at him.

"You. May I…necklace?" Harry used his hands to gesture at a necklace around her neck. She touched the shells.

"Do you have something for me?" Harry cocked his head. "It is how our society works. In return for one thing we must give another." Harry nodded in understanding.

"But, what can I give?" He asked quietly, wondering out loud.

She stroked the shells, thinking. "Maybe…human hair is a treasure to us. It is a symbol of ultimate friendship, a great privilege in our society as we are so persecuted on the surface world."

Harry blinked in surprise but grinned and dove to the bottom of the lake to grab a rock. He cut off two chunks of his unruly hair, he would never be able to tell the difference in the morning, and gave some to each merperson. They placed it carefully in a small bottle on their waists as Harry watched. "I see no reason to persecute merpeople, even if they were slightly hostile to me last time I was here." The woman smiled at his response, nodding again, and placed a shell necklace over his head. The man chuckled and handed him the belt slung across his shoulder. Harry looked at them curiously.

"The belt will never break, useful for a wizard, made of grindylow pelts. The pouches have been expanded by our magic and will keep out all liquids. It may seem odd for us, but it is useful for you."

"The necklace will grant you passage in the lake, no merman will challenge you."

Harry smiled. "Thank you. I greatly appreciate your gifts." They bowed as he swam away. Harry rushed to get back. He was cold and if he didn't get out soon, he'd go insane, not to mention he could lose some vital parts.

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"He's been down there a long time," Frank said.

"You think he's okay?" Lily asked, biting her lip nervously.

"I'm sure he is," James sighed, standing up and brushing himself off.

Remus was pacing, his steps deliberately slow and measured. "Sirius, go after him."

"Why me?" Sirius whined.

"Because you gave him the dare." Remus pushed Sirius forward. Sirius grumbled and waded forward. Suddenly, he jumped and yelped, scrambling back up onto the bank. Harry popped up out of the water, chuckling.

"So sorry. Did I scare you?" He laughed at the indignant look on Sirius's face.

"No, I…what are those?"

"These," Harry said, indicating the necklace and belt as he walked over to his clothes and pulled them on, placing the belt over his shoulder, "are evidence." Sirius reached out to touch the shells, but Harry swatted his hand away. "They're real, and mine I might add. I think they would be offended if I gave their gifts away. I have no intention of meeting an angry merman. No thanks. So, first dare completed. What now?" Harry pulled on his clothes quickly.

"Yes! I've been waiting for that!" Sirius danced on the spot. "Follow me!"

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"Why am I standing outside Professor Century's door?" Harry asked.

Sirius smiled. "I dare you to go in there and kiss Professor Century." Harry's mouth dropped open. "Hey, you seem close to him. It's just a little closer."

"We'll wait here," James said, smirking.

Harry fought back a scream, knowing there was no way out of it, nodded, and went into the room without knocking. Everyone exchanged surprised glances; even the Marauders didn't have the nerve to do that, and pressed their ears to the door. They jumped when a series of loud bangs and crashes came from the room. Sirius immediately grabbed the doorknob and shoved the door open. Everyone fell inside.

The room was a mess. Papers were strewn everywhere. Century's chair was overturned. Cabinet doors were flung open. Harry and Century stood over near the far wall, only a few paces from each other, Harry's hands curled tightly in Century's robes. They were panting heavily, their faces flushed, clothes and hair disheveled. The Marauders' mouths fell open.

Harry and Century took no notice of their guests. Century reached out slowly and lightly touched Harry's cheek. Harry turned his head, his mouth brushing the very tips of Century's fingers.

"Alright! Hold it! Back up!" Sirius jumped up, knocking Remus to the ground. "What's going on?"

Harry turned toward him and gave him an innocent look. Century dropped his hand immediately. "I'm finishing my turn. Why?"

"You were protesting a minute ago! What happened?" Sirius crossed his arms, trying to look intimidating.

Harry looked at Lily. "Was I protesting before I came in here?"

Lily shook her head, nonplussed. Sirius looked between Harry and Century, understanding dawning on his face. "You wanted this to happen, didn't you?"

Harry smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about."

James grimaced slightly, more in shock that disgust. "Wow, that's, er, surprising. I mean, I have nothing against, um, people like you. I have a friend in Hufflepuff who's got a boyfriend in France. You should meet him."

"Understandable. Thanks for letting me know you don't mind though. I thought you all would abandon me." Century's cheek twitched slightly as Harry's eyes filled with tears. Remus saw the professor catch himself quickly and rearrange his face into a neutral expression. Remus, suddenly seeing the hilarity of the situation, coughed, trying to hide his own laughter.

Sirius turned to look at his friend, who had already clamped a hand over his mouth. "What's wrong?" Harry locked eyes with Remus and they burst out laughing, Century following along. Remus doubled over, clutching his stomach as raucous laughter bubbled from his mouth. Harry and Century were hanging onto each other for support.

Century gasped, "That was so funny! The-the look…on your faces! I wish I had a camera!" He clutched his sides, tears streaming down his face. Harry wiped his own eyes.

"It was funny, wasn't it?"

"You," James stuttered. "You tricked us!"

"No, really?" Harry asked with a smug expression. "Sorry to break it to you, but I'm straight. So is Professor Century. So don't get any ideas. He just wanted to help me prank you guys."

Century sighed and hiccupped loudly, pushing away from the wall he had been leaning against. "I couldn't help myself. It was just too good to pass up."

Sirius turned to Remus. "How did you know about this?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "Sirius, I am a part of the best band of pranksters around. Harry and Professor Century were both about to burst from holding it in. I must say that if I wasn't used to you and James, they could have fooled me easily. Besides, if you think back to our little interview with Harry, you'll remember that Wormtail asked about Harry's girlfriend and he answered us truthfully that he had had a girlfriend previous to coming here."

Century laughed and straightened his clothes. "Glad to know I can act at least."

"They've been doing a good job since they came here," James whispered darkly. Sirius nodded and Remus glanced at him briefly, knowing Century had most likely heard him.

Century sighed and ran his hand through his hair, something Remus had noticed he did very often, and, according to the other Marauders, Remus also had a habit of doing. "Now," Century said sternly, "go before I decide to punish you all." He flicked his wand and his room righted itself.

"But Harry didn't do his dare!" Sirius protested. Surely Century would see that Harry had to finish his turn.

Harry's head whipped around. "I did too! Why do you think we let you catch us like that when you fell so gracefully into the room? It was a simple sign of affection, often shared between friends in places such as Spain, if I am not mistaken." Sirius opened his mouth. "It may have just been the tips of his fingers, but it did count! You forgot to put specifications on your dare, Sirius."

Sirius gaped. "B-but-"

James clapped a hand to the stunned boy's shoulder. "Beaten at your own game, Padfoot."

Lily and Alice giggled and Frank whistled, "Burn…"

Sirius growled. "No fair! Why didn't someone remind me?"

"We didn't think of it," James said with a shrug.

Peter nodded, "Sorry, Pads."

Sirius pouted, crossing his arms and sticking out his lower lip. "That was mean. You're all a bunch of meanies, especially you, Harry."

"Did I hurt poor baby Siri's feelings?" Harry asked with a smirk. Lily and Alice giggled again. "Look, I would kiss Century full on the mouth IF it was a matter of life or death, but for a dare? I don't like you that way, mate, and I know that sentiment is reciprocated. We both have ladies at home."

"Yes, yes. We all had a good laugh and the Marauders were finally pranked. Now," Professor Century opened his door and pointed at the hallway. "Go to bed." They all filed past him. He gave Harry a wink, bowed, and closed the door in their faces.

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Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

-Isaiah 5:20